The value of tradition

Skeat's Etymological Dictionary tells us that our English word tradition comes from two Latin words that mean "to give across," or in other words, to pass across the generational gaps. Traditionalism comes in for more than its share of sneering jabs from fools who do not understand its meaning, but at its best it tells us of the wisdom of succeeding generations. I will be wise if I distill all that is best from my lifetime and seek to pass it along to my children. My children will be wise if they understand what I am doing and and seek to gain all that they can from what they are given. A man who can learn from what has gone before is a truly wise man.